First Openly Gay Saudi on Changing Status of LGBT in Kuwait

Feb 18, 2022 | 'Kuwait and the Arab Gulf have been violating the LGBTQ community's rights for many years'

Days after Kuwait’s constitutional court struck down a law that criminalizes “imitation of the opposite sex” - considered a breakthrough for the regional transgender community - journalist and international rights activist Wajeeh Lion spoke with i24NEWS about the implications such a move has on the LGBTQ community in the Arab world.

“It might be a very small step in the right direction. Kuwait and the Arab Gulf have been violating the LGBTQ community's rights for many years,” Lion said.

Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait Obituary

THE GUARDIAN: Ruler of Kuwait for 14 years who was known as ‘the dean of Arab diplomacy’

The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who has died aged 91, ruled his country for 14 years and acquired a reputation for being committed to peaceful dialogue and unity among other Gulf states known for their divisive quarrels in recent times. Discreet, mild-mannered and valuing his personal links with fellow monarchs, Sabah was known as “the dean of Arab diplomacy”.

Since 2017, however, when the younger, more assertive leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boycotted their rival Qatar, he found it increasingly hard to play the role of regional mediator, but was still credited with having forestalled potentially disastrous military action. The war in Yemen, scene of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, was another nightmarish situation. » | Ian Black | Thursday, October 1, 2020

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Dies at Age 91

The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has died at the age of 91. The announcement was made on state television on Tuesday. He had been in power since 2006. Jamal Elshayyal takes a look back on his life.

Gulf Crisis Explained, 100 Days after Anti-Qatar Blockade

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain along with Egypt announced an embargo on Qatar on June 5, setting off the Gulf crisis. More than three month blockade has affected families, students and made it difficult for Qatari pilgrims to perform Hajj. So far, Kuwait's mediation efforts have not yielded any results with the blockading nations, who say they will not budge unless Qatar agrees to a list of 13 demands. The demands include cutting ties with Iran and shutting down the Al Jazeera media network.

Inside Story - What Can Russia Do to Help End the Gulf Crisis?

The Russian foreign Minister has been in Qatar as part of efforts to find a common ground in the Gulf crisis. Sergey Lavrov has already visited the UAE and Kuwait this week and arrived in Doha on Wednesday.

Lavrov is the highest ranking Russian official to come to the Gulf since the crisis began. He says Russia fully supports the Emir of Kuwait's efforts to bring an end to the blockade that began on June 5th. But what can Russia do to help end the blockade?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiya - Qatar's Ambassador to Russia; Vyacheslav Matuzov - a former Russian diplomat, now Chairman of the Russian Friendship Society with Arab Countries; Abdullah Baabood - Professor of International Relations and Political Economy of the Gulf at Qatar University

Iranian TV Executive Shot Dead in Istanbul, Turkish Media Report

THE GUARDIAN: Saeed Karimian, founder of Farsi-language network GEM TV, reportedly shot dead along with his Kuwaiti business partner

The Iranian founder of a popular Farsi-language satellite television network has been shot dead in Istanbul alongside a Kuwaiti business partner, according to Turkish media, months after reportedly being convicted of spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic.

GEM TV founder Saeed Karimian was travelling through Istanbul’s Maslak neighbourhood after 8pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday when the car was blocked by a Jeep and shots were fired, Turkey’s Doğan news agency said on Sunday.

Karimian was found dead by emergency services. His associate was taken to hospital but could not be revived. » | Reuters | Sunday, April 30, 2017

Prinz in Kuwait hingerichtet

SPIEGEL ONLINE: In Kuwait ist erstmals ein Mitglied der Königsfamilie hingerichtet worden. Sechs weitere Frauen und Männer wurden ebenfalls exekutiert. Fast alle waren wegen Mordes verurteilt worden.

Ein Mitglied der kuwaitischen Königsfamilie ist am Mittwoch zusammen mit sechs weiteren Verurteilten in dem Golfstaat hingerichtet worden. Scheich Faisal Abdullah al-Dschaber al-Sabah war unter anderem wegen Mordes zum Tode verurteilt worden, berichtete die staatliche Nachrichtenagentur Kuna. » | kgp/dpa/AP/Reuters | Mittwoch, 25. Januar 2017

Kuwait Poll: Opposition Wins Nearly Half of Parliament

Opposition MPs in Kuwait have made a big comeback in parliamentary elections, winning at least 21 out of 50 seats. For those voting in Saturday's poll, their biggest concerns are soaring food, fuel and transport prices.

Britain Pledges to Help Thousands of Refugees – But Rich Arab States Have Taken In NONE

EXPRESS: SUPER-RICH Arab states have been branded "shameful" after it emerged they have refused to give asylum to a single Syrian refugee.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates – all relatively close to war-ravaged Syria and said by commentators to have the capacity to quickly house refugees – are yet to take any of the four million Syrians fleeing the region.

The news comes as record numbers embark on the life-threatening journey to Europe – and packed refugee camps in Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt come under threat from the Islamic State advance.

And although the tragic death of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi has seen European attitudes to the crisis change overnight, campaigners have slammed Gulf states' unwillingness to change tack.

Syrians must apply for tourist visas and work permits in order to have any hope of starting a new life in the Gulf – with few of the costly documents ever granted.

Amnesty International's Head of Refugee and Migrants' Rights, Sherif Elsayid-Ali, said: "The records of Gulf countries is absolutely appalling, in terms of actually showing compassion and sharing the responsibility of this crisis... It is a disgrace." » | Patrick Maguire | Saturday, September 5, 2015

Gulf States Share Shock of Terror Attack on Mosque in Kuwait

THE GUARDIAN: Neighbouring states fear further violence during Ramadan as the holy month is marked with deadly bombings

The aftermath of the attack on a Shia mosque in Kuwait has resonated well beyond its borders into neighbouring Gulf countries, which have long shared both its worldview and its fears that Islamic State is stalking them.

On Saturday, Kuwaiti officials announced arrests linked to the Friday blast at the Imam al-Sadiq mosque, which killed 27 and maimed 200 more, as security at places of worship from Sharjah to Doha was tightened and rhetoric against the group intensified across the region.

Officials in Kuwait had long said an attack of the type carried out during Friday prayers would be very difficult to stop. The fact that it took place in the holy month of Ramadan, when worshippers were likely to be less on their guard than usual, made it even more so.

Isis had made no secret of its intentions to launch attacks during Ramadan, with its spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, releasing a speech earlier last week calling for strikes in the remaining three weeks of the fasting month, which would lead to greater blessings in the afterlife. » | Martin Chulov | Saturday, June 27, 2015

Schwarzer Freitag

SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG: Kuwait, Frankreich, Tunesien - die Welt erlebt drei Terroranschläge an einem Tag. Die Botschaft der Täter: Wir sind überall.

Ein Massaker in einer Touristenzone am Strand von Tunesien, ein Attentat auf eine schiitische Moschee in Kuwait und ein Anschlag auf eine Gasfabrik in der französischen Provinz - die Botschaft dieses schwarzen Freitags zu Beginn des Ramadan erscheint klar: Der Terror kann überall zuschlagen. Er kann jeden treffen, auch die schärfsten Sicherheitsmaßnahmen reichen nicht aus, die Bürger zu schützen.

Noch ist unklar, ob die Taten orchestriert sind und ein Fanal zum Auftakt des muslimischen Fastenmonats setzen sollten. Wahrscheinlich ist, dass sich verschiedene Gruppen und Einzeltäter von den Hassbotschaften animiert fühlten, die im Internet kursieren. Das Ziel der Extremisten, die sich meist auf die Terrororganisationen Islamischer Staat oder al-Qaida berufen, geht weit über einzelne Staaten hinaus. Ganze Großregionen, darunter Europa, sollen in eine Eskalation der Gewalt getrieben werden. » | Von Stefan Ulrich | Freitag, 26. Juni 2015

Kuwaiti Preacher, ISIS Call for Demolition of Egypt’s Sphinx, Pyramids

RT: An Islamist preacher from Kuwait has called to destroy Egypt's Sphinx and pyramids, stating it is time for Muslims to erase the pharaohs' heritage. The alleged call comes as Islamic State jihadists ramp up their attacks against historic sites.

Although the ancient monuments are not religious – but rather cultural and historic sites – they should still be "destroyed" by Muslims, putting an end to the worship of images, preacher Ibrahim Al Kandari said, according to Al-Watan daily.

"The fact that early Muslims who were among prophet Mohammed’s followers did not destroy the pharaohs' monuments upon entering the Egyptian soil, does not mean that we shouldn't do it now," Al Kandari said.

Another call for the destruction of Egypt's main symbols comes from Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who suggested the demolition of the historic monuments is a "religious duty," Al Alam news reported on Sunday. In the extreme interpretations of Islam, no material objects should be idolized or worshiped.

It comes amid growing concerns over the safety of many other historic and architectural monuments in the region, where militants continue to destroy ancient cities and artifacts. » |Pub. Monday, March 09, 2015 | Ed. Wednesday, March 11, 2015

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Kuwaiti MP Nabil Al-Fadhl Challenges Ban on Alcohol: It Is Part of Our Heritage

Related »

Islamists Slam Kuwaiti Lawmaker for Call to Allow Dancing, Alcohol

LA TIMES: liberal Kuwaiti lawmaker has come under fire by Islamists for his appeal to lift bans on dancing and alcohol consumption, calling the oil-rich Persian Gulf state "a country with no joy.

Nabil Fadhl provoked angry objections from fellow members of parliament when he proposed repeal of a 2004 law that prohibited dancing at concerts and festivals as contrary to the mores of Islam that dictate separation of unrelated men and women in public.

Asked by Islamist lawmakers -- apparently with sarcasm -- whether he also would support the legalization of alcohol, Fadhl reportedly replied, "Why not?" He said that drinking was tolerated in earlier times and that banning alcohol had led to the emergence of a black market where a bottle of spirits can be sold for more than $400. » | Carol J. Williams | Monday, January 05, 2015

Kuwaiti Cleric Tareq Al-Suwaidan: Our Struggle with the Sons of Zion Pertains to Our Very Existence, Requires Jihad

Israeli Woman Discriminated against by Kuwait Airways

Sep. 29, 2014 - 1:48 - David Lee Miller reports

Israel: Lieberman enthüllt Geheimgespräche mit arabischen Staaten

Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman: "Sie haben mein Wort"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Avigdor Lieberman hetzt gerne gegen Araber. Umso überraschender sind die jüngsten Äußerungen des israelischen Außenministers. Seine Regierung führe Geheimverhandlungen mit Saudi-Arabien und Kuwait. Das Ziel ist die Aufnahme diplomatischer Beziehungen.

Jerusalem - Israels Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman hat erstmals bestätigt, dass seine Regierung Geheimgespräche mit verfeindeten arabischen Staaten führt, unter ihnen Saudi-Arabien und Kuwait. Ziel der Verhandlungen sei die Normalisierung der Beziehungen und die Aufnahme diplomatischer Kontakte, sagte Lieberman der Zeitung "Jediot Acharonot".

Grundlage der Gespräche seien die gemeinsame Furcht vor der wachsenden Stärke Irans und die Bedrohung durch islamistischen Extremismus, sagte der israelische Außenminister weiter. "Erstmals verstehen die Araber, dass nicht Israel oder die Juden oder der Zionismus die Bedrohung sind - sondern Iran, der weltweite Dschihad, die Hisbollah und al-Qaida", so Lieberman. » | syd/Reuters | Montag, 14. April 2014

Saudi Man Sentenced to 80 Lashes for Accusing Kuwaiti Pop Singer of Adultery on Twitter

Kuwaiti singer, Shams

THE INDEPENDENT: The unidentified Saudi national allegedly accused pop singer Shams of adultery 'without providing proof' of her affair

A Saudi man has been sentenced to 80 lashes and three months in jail, after being convicted of defaming a Kuwaiti singer by accusing her of adultery on Twitter.

The unidentified Saudi national allegedly accused pop singer Shams of adultery "without providing proof" of her affair, according to the Saudi Sabq news agency. The news agency said he also posted fabricated photos showing Shams in "obscene" positions.

Shams subsequently filed a legal suit against the man. The Sabq said the verdict was based on sharia law, which states those who accuse others of adultery must be flogged.

The man, believed to have been a fan of a rival singer, was also fined 10,000 riyals (£1,600), AFP has reported. » | Heather Saul | Friday, January 03, 2014

Kuwait: Sale of Christmas Items Makes 'Mockery' of Islam - MP

ARABIAN BUSINESS: A Kuwait MP has called for a crackdown on Christmas celebrations in the state amid claims that shops were making a “mockery” of Islamic culture by selling items related to the occasion.

Less than two months after slamming the sale of Halloween items as “signs of Satanism”, MP Hamdan Al Azmi has warned Deputy Premier Sheikh Mohammad Al Khalid Al Sabah and Minister of Commerce and Industry Anas Al Saleh of the consequences of failing to take action against Christmas celebrations.

He said celebrating such events was “inappropriate” in an Islamic culture and authorities should not allow anyone to profit from such activities, Kuwait media reported.

While Christmas is a Christian celebration, in parts of the Gulf shops sell Christmas decorations and embrace the holiday. In the UAE, some malls have lavish Christmas decorations in a nod to the large expat and tourist populations. » | Beatrice Thomas | Sunday, December 15, 2013

Kuwaiti Woman Arrested in Saudi Arabia for Driving Her Diabetic Father to Hospital

THE INDEPENDENT: Arrest comes a week after Saudi women staged a protest against the country’s female driving ban

A Kuwaiti woman was arrested in Saudi Arabia for driving her diabetic father to hospital, a local newspaper reported on Sunday.

The arrest came a week after a number of Saudi women protested against the country's ban on female drivers by taking to the wheel and posting pictures and videos of themselves in the act online.

The woman was driving in an area just over the border from Kuwait with her father in the passenger seat, when she was stopped by police, the English language Kuwait Times said.

Kuwaitis and Saudi locals regularly cross between the countries and communities living along the border are often a mix of both nationalities.

Citing police, the paper reported that the woman, who said her diabetic father could not drive and needed to be taken to hospital for treatment, is being held in custody pending an investigation. » | Tomas Jivanda | Monday, October 04, 2013